Continuation of Day 2

Blogger fritzed out on me this morning (could be because it was EARLY) so I will continue:

This is the outside of the Cairo Museum. Museums are always my favorite place to visit, and this one is a doozie! It is like out of some old movie, wood floors, curosities stuck here and there, and then you come across a treasure. We only saw the highlights (including Tut), and I could have spent my whole vacation there! No pictures allowed inside unfortunately.

Groupe shot in front of the Mohammed Ali Mosque (possible duplicate from yesterday!)

Funerary Temple at the Sphinx, this is the first funny shot that Ayman set up for us. Mike, I highjacked this from your smugmug site, as I was still conserving my camera battery at that point (I forgot the charger!)

My first purchase in Egypt, this gorgeous beaded shawl has already kept me warm

OK, my machine is at a crawl, so I will sign off for now, and try to finish up tomorrow.

Day 2 Egyptian Odyssey

This is the view of the city of Cairo from the escaprment where the fortress of Saladin and the Mohammed Ali mosque is located. Somewhere on the horizon, you should be able to see the pyramids.

Mohammed Ali Mosque

Khalil Ali market area

Market cat

We started out early and went to the escarpment overlooking Cairo. The mosque was very impressive and very intricately decorated. One of our party had to put on a green choir robe over her dress as she was deemed to be dressed appropriately. Who knew??

We had lunch at a restaurant moored on the Nile, and the food was very good. We had our first taste of egyptian desserts, and they were most delicious. Blogger is giving me fits, so I will finish this posting tonight.

Second half of Day One in Egypt

After a lunch of rotisserie chicken some of the best lemonade I have ever had, we headed west of Cairo


The first pyramid in Egypt, the step or broken pyramid of Djoser, located in Saqqara, just west of Cairo

Memphis, one of the former capitals of Egypt, has some great statuary. This statue of Ramses II is just exquisite. They have built a building around it, as his legs are missing. Note the knees, arms

The alabaster Sphinx was also magnificent. This side has been eroded by wind and sand, but the other side is intact.

Another dinner at the hotel and then I slept all night long, after packing for our departure tomorrow.

Dispatches from Egypt

I sent text messages to my son, but he did not share with all, so I am publishing them here. They are truncated, and seem to be almost telegram-like.

3/10 wanted to let you know that I got to Atlanta fine

3/11 in egypt fine as of 7pm local time

3/12 morning in cairo is foggy and cool ready for pyramids and sphinx

3/12 (#2) boy am i tired but pyramids were amazing

3/13 sunrise in cairo is still misty and very mysterious off to cairo museum always my favorite place to visit

3/15 still having a great time saw valley of the kings today unbelieveable

3/16 this just gets more and more amazing and our guide is great we are on nile now

3/16 9:30 at night, just finished dinner

3/17 tried to send pic message but would not go still having a great time just left esna for more temples

3/17 ok here is your rofl laughing moment we took donkey ride and i fell off not hurt and no one got a pic of it thank gods

3/18 temple at Edfu and sandstone quarry and temple

3/18 still have a great time and no further mishaps

3/19 still floating down the nile sounds boring but is not we are seeing temple of isis tomorrow

3/19 still sailing down the nile seeing more temples

3/20 rode camel did not fall off very proud of myself

3/21 back in cairo leaving at 2 PM arrive abq tomorrow 4:30

HOme from Egypt!

I can't believe that I am back! Good to be home, but I sure did not want to leave Egypt.

I think that I am going to write about a day (or parital days in some instances on REALLY busy days).

I arrived in Cairo on Wednesday March 11, and just caught the tail end of the cocktail party and met everyone. Then I tottered off to bed, as I don't sleep on airplanes (which is a bummer when you are in the air for over 18 hours!)

Next morning we were up and off. Our hotel, Mena House Oberoi, was right next to the pyramids, so we went there first. This picture was taken from the garden of the hotel.

Here you can see all three of the big pyramids. The scale is beyond belief.

Those little bitty flyspecks are people!

Camels (we did not ride, as we had a camel ride scheduled later in the trip...)

We were able to go into one of the pyramids (there are three pyramids MUCH smaller, one for Cheops mother, first wife and second wife.) This is the pyramid of the second wife. I am sitting on the first wife's pyramid with the great pyramid in the background.

The infamous Sphinx. You can no longer get right up to it, but it is still impressive.

We ate authentic Egyptian food as much as possible, and for lunch on the first day we had the best chicken (cooked on a rotisserie) that I have ever eaten!

We then took off for the west of Cairo to see more pyramids! More on this tomorrow.

Charles DeGaulle Airport, Paris France

Well, I am on a layover on the way to Cairo. When I got to Paris and turned on my cell phone, the battery was dead! All that I have done is a few test texts to my son (with results that he thought were very amusing!) Anyway, must be a weak battery, and the only adapter that I brought with me was the one for Cairo!
I signed up at an internet cafe and had to buy an hour's worth of time for 5 Euro, so I am taking my time and using up my minutes. I thought that I could use them on the way back, but they are only good for 7 days.
So far (besides the cell phone battery and David laughing at my texting attempts) the trip has been long but uneventful. No problems but I could not sleep on the plane last night, so I will really be ready to sleep tonight, as as Cairo is 8 hours different from home, that will make getting used to the time change easier (if I manage to stay awake on the flight to Cairo).
Sounds like they are calling my flight, so I better sign off and get in line (at least you do not have to take off your shoes here for security!)

24 Pharmuti - 1 day to go!

I woke up to the strangest thing. This funny watery stuff was falling from the sky! And then it turned into a light snow! Really strange.
We have not had any measurble precitiptation since Dec. 26, 2008, so we really need it.
I leave at 1:20 pm tomorrow, and I CANNOT WAIT. Look for lots of pics here after March 22, which is when I get back!

23 Pharmuti 2 days and counting

Well, I just repacked my suitcase and now have only one bag to lug around, unfortunately, it is the big one, but I think that I can handle it!

Went to mediation this morning, and for our art project, we worked in clay, which I always enjoy. I made a low bowl, and we painted with black paint. Not a whole lot of time to work, so it is unfinished, but it will be here when I return!

The weather has been nasty, blustery, windy and dusty here today. But this is March, so I guess that we should not complain.

I just checked the internation weather forecast and it was 90 degrees F today in Cairo!

20 Pharmuti - 5 days to go!

Could not resist--another cutie from icanhascheezburger.com!

This trip is finally becoming real! Next week at this time I will be in EGYPT!!!!!!!!!

17 Pharmuti - 8 days and counting

A very sad day. I attended a memorial service for my friend Trish tonight. She died of a massive heart attack last Wednesday night. Her memorial was very well attended and we all saw a portion of Trish that we did not personally know. We so rarely share our deepest selves with our friends.
Trish was 65, which seems VERY young to me!
I have added her to my Book of the Dead.

Turned around to see this in my suitcase

She is ready to go to Egypt!

13 Pharmuti 12 days to go

I was shocked today to learn that a member of our Women's Group, Thursday's Women died last night.
Trish was a very active 60ish woman, who had recently retired. She was healthy, vibrant, loving, kind and gentle with a killer sense of humor and the funniest knitted hedgehogs!
She was eating dinner, told her husband that she felt "funny" and asked him to go look up the symptoms of a heart attack. When he returned, he found her dead.
Our group met tonight, and we fondly remembered Trish. She will be missed.
If you suspect a heart attack, call an ambulance immediately! Trish probably could not have been helped, but don't take a chance!

12 Pharmuti 13 days and counting

I am posting another Eye of RA that is in my life - this was a birthday present from my friend W, whose mother brought it back from Egypt many years ago. This also includes a cobra and an ankh, so it is treble good luck! Lots of protection.

11 Pharmuti 14 days and counting

Well, we were all shocked by the bomb that exploded in Cairo, but continue to be hopeful. I started looking at all the instances that I have of the Eye of RA, and am posting two pictures.

This image is all about protection and I have many instances of this recurring in my life.

This is a small jewelry box given to me by my friend L in Dallas. It is stained glass with the eye sanblasted into the lid. It was made by Jon of Route 66 Stained Glass, and is exquisite. I see it every morning as I put on earrings.

This wallhanging hangs on the wall in my office, above my computer. It is called Eye Patch (Eye and 9 patch-- get it??) and is made with hand carved stamps. I really looked at it the other day and I really like it. This was the product of Jane Dunnewold's Archetype Master Class.

Great Birthday and 16 days and counting (9 Pharmuti)

I had a great birthday. Met friends on Friday at a closing reception for Rainbow Artists for our I Love Red exhibit.
On Saturday, I went shopping for my trip, and then went to a birthday dinner party. I got fantastic gifts, great cards and then we played Tripoly (plus truly amazing food!) I have leftovers for dinner tonight.
Went to lunch today after church, and then worked for a few hours.
Tomorrow is back to the work world.

6 Pharmuti - 19 days and counting

Supplies for the trip to Egypt. I will keep this in my suitcase, as it has

BIG SCISSORS and SHARP STUFF!

After the ruckus that I caused in Tampa, I do not want to cause an international incident, but I am taking a small pair of kid's rounded end scissors on the plane with me. If they confiscate them, it will be no great loss.

Two small journals that I am contemplating taking, the My Life on the left

has black pages and the other one I have not finished collaging on,

but I do have 19 days! I don't want to take too many,

and need only one to carry around in my pack during the day.

Finally, some art

5 Pharmuti- 21 days until I leave for Egypt!

Collage "I She" for a Recyled Art Show at First Unitarian Church in April (I know, it is early for a change.) I hoped to use this image for publicity, but it just does not come across well enough to publish. Looks much better in person....

Hotel in Cairo

here is a link to the hotel where we will be staying in Cairo-with a pyramid view!

http://www.oberoimenahouse.com/Hotel/Gallery-Downloads.aspx

Finally, some art!

27th of Phanenoth, 28 days until I leave on the journey of a lifetime!

Stamps that I purchased years ago, before I even dreamed of going to Egypt!

Already used them in my travel journal.

(this is the wooden box that they came in!)

Small collage entitled I-She, probably will be mounted on the burlap on canvas

for a recycled art show in April at First Unitarian in Albuquerque.

Collage and mounted on recycled cardboard base.

26 Phanenoth- 29 days until I leave for Egypt!

It is now officially less than a month before I leave! Hooray.

Very little art is being produced, but I have several things that I am "percolating" for two shows in March and April. Of course my inspiration is for the April show, and not the March...

Rainbow Artists had a great show that opened on Friday, We Heart Red at the Arts Alliance gallery. The opening was well attended.

I can now post my entry;

Titled "I Heart Hearts" (16x20" mixed media)

Close up

Notans and your name in Chinese

Lisa Volrath of Go Make Something posted this link the other day:

http://www.chinesetools.eu/names/

It creates your name in Chinese!

I had a church "fun-raising" activity at my house today, Notan Japanese Cut Paper. Very successful and these are some of the Notans created by my students:

Be VERY specific in your wants and needs!

I got a letter in the mail today and it was from the bank that had the loan from my totaled car. Insurance paid it off, but I have been hoping for a refund. When I saw the envelope today, I said "Please let it be a check!" It was, but it was for $3.67! So I got my wish!

Time for more cat pics. I went into my bedroom today and f

ound Fuzzy Bucket asleep on the bed!

Doesn't she look all cozy and warm? She would not even open her eyes!

Found this book at the library, it is Celebrate your Creative Self by Mary Todd Beam. Great book! I go to different libraries and haunt the 745.xx section for any art books!

17 Phanenoth, 38 days and counting.

16 Phanenoth- 39 days and counting

I have a kitty like this, except she is not quite this tubby.

You have to look closely to see what has happened!

Long, long week, but it is finally Friday!

Check this out....

a friend sent this view of Obama's inauguration. Isn't the internet amazing?


http://davidbergman.net/Obama.html

I had to work on a project last night for Rainbow Artists, so no new art... Perhaps this weekend.

January is waning...

I simply do not believe that it is the end of January! Well almost.

I am behind in posting, but life is getting in the way. I went to see my Mother and it was very sad, as she did not know where she was the whole weekend. She seems to have come back to herself this evening, however, as she was very spry and told me that she was moving back home (not a possibility!). It is very sad to see someone fade away before your eyes...

I am posting some pictures from Juliana's journaling jam that was the weekend of Jan 17-18th.

Oooopssss, I deleted the pictures, so I will have to take more.

I will post the only one that escaped the deletion

This is my future collage (this was one of Juliana's work on it and pass it to the left), the third of a tryptich. Certainly not finished yet, but the 9 needs further investigation! I like the "keep changing".

Totally on Overload

OK, after Obama watch parties, etc. I am on total

overload (pleased but overloaded) but this is classic!

I am not happy about DTV, and this sums it up.

this is from www.lolcats.com! I laughed out loud, and I needed that!

Probably no art until next week!

I have had a rough patch the last few days

There are two means of refuge from the misery of life - music and cats.

Albert Schweitzer

Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.

Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Both of these hit home with me today, and I thought that I would share them with the Universe! I also got a an intesting email today about a national initative to light candles on Jan. 19th:

We invite you to join with us in lighting a candle on the evening of January 19th, 2009, the eve of the United States presidential inauguration. Our intent is to create a global web of light in support of the well being of the Obama Family and the wisdom of President Obama's leadership.

We encourage you to share this invitation with others.

In Peace,
Members of a women's Spirit Circle
Seattle, Washington

I sgined up for this swap!

I swap with Swap-bot!

Airline Ticket Generator

OK, I have created a ticket to Egypt, but this is not wishful thinking, I am now officailly paid in full for my Egypt trip!

Lisa Volrath of Go Make Something posted this today:

http://gomakesomething.com/blog/010909ticket/

Time flies

Typical political doublespeak qualifies:

If they can get you asking the wrong questions,

they don't have to worry about the answers.

Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow

I have had a BAD week so far: just went back to work on Monday after two weeks of medical leave, and it was tough.

But I am letting it go... (Sure!)

Anyway, I am working on it.

My Eqypt journal is coming along

Day 3 of 2009!

OK, here is the first 2009 Computer Kitty picture! Can't resist!
This is my work area in the studio. While it is certainly not spotless
(I will not show any before pictures, they are toooooo nasty!)
I can now work! The whole table was piled high, and I had a very small work area!


I am auditioning cover options for my Egypt Journal. This is a combination of beading from a Mary Tafoya beading workshop (Cabuchon on leopard print ATC) and some backgrounds and recycled objects from a class with Cynthia Cook. Probably not an option that I will use.

Three images, one of which I will probably use.

This is probably the image I will use. I have darkened the edges of the image and the cover.

Ojo Caliente was glorious yesterday. We soaked in the pools, walked the river, ate lunch and had a great time.

2009- ALREADY???

This is my horoscope for today:
Lavish yourself with love and attention today! Go on, you deserve some pampering. And if your budget allows, buy yourself something you have been wanting for a while. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else, so make sure you are happy. If you are in a relationship right now, make sure you aren't making your life all about this other person. You need your own identity. And if you are not in a relationship right now, make the most of your independence.

I think it is one day off. Tomorrow we are going to Ojo Caliente for soaks and relaxation. Luckily we are within 100 miles of there...
NO resulutions in my life, except to take better care of myself in 2009.

There is a great posting on Lesley Rileys blog about expectations and how

you need to be specific in what you need and want. You might check it out.

I also read several online newsletters and one of them suggested the

following website which details taking a vow for PEACE.

In the present world situation, I think this is an extremely fantastic option,

and I have taken the vow.
May you have a blessed and safe 2009.

Dec 29th.... Oh my!

Well, I had a busy weekend, bought a new car. Hunydai Santa Fe, it is silver and very pretty.

Over Christmas Amber and I picked "Pokies".

I am not sure what they are, but they are lethal! VERY POKIE!

I sprayed mine with glitter, but should have painted them

silver first. I will do that next year.

I thought that they looked very wintry.
They are some kind of a seed pod with lots of nasty spikes.